Tuesday, 22 April 2014

My summer style

A dose of sunshine is all I need to whip out the sunglasses and slip on the flip flops. Although Spring has only really just properly sprung, I've refreshed my wardrobe ready for lazy sunny days and there's a lot I'm loving right now.

As the days get longer and hopefully the sun comes out to play, I'm loving bright colours, floaty fabrics and relaxed styling.

Here's a guide to my new season look - it's all about a few key pieces and keeping things fun and not fussy:

* The bag: it all starts with a bag, as it often does with me! Ethan was a very naughty boy (in a good way!) as he bought me a Cambridge Satchel, 13inch, in fluoro pink for Mother's Day, personalised with my initials KVO in silver embossing. It's very special and super bright - I swear it glows in the dark! - and it's a great statement piece that I'm sure will go with lots of outfits over the months ahead. Even the plainest of ensembles is going to pack a punch with this hanging on my shoulder.

* T-shirts: a wardrobe essential that comes into its own in the summer, I've stocked up on a few versatile tees, including polka dots for a chic look, stripes for a nautical / Parisian twist and a really zesty yellow one that adds a real zing to my get up.

* The denim jacket: this is what summer is all about in Britain if you ask me. Sling it over a tee, a shirt or a dress and you're ready to go, day or night. This is a light wash version from Next's new summer collection and already a favourite for me.

* The trousers: this summer, as my psoriasis has left my legs even more unsightly than they were before, I'll be covering up and aside from a few much loved maxi dresses I love to unpack each year, I'm all about chinos. Relaxed yet smart, this season's chino trousers are extremely wearable and in some fantastic shades. I've snapped up a rather vibrant pink/orange pair and a lemon/lime shade too from Next, whilst a neutral pair will see me smart throughout summer. I'm also loving the tapered trousers that seem to be everywhere, with a black and white polka dot pair and a smudge print jersey trouser giving me some comfortable but stylish options for the weekends.

* The jumpsuit: I never thought I'd be able to pull one of these off, but I found a really nice, well-fitting but comfy jumpsuit in Next (yep, I'm in love at the moment!), see top right. I'm planning on wearing it with a skinny belt and heels for a chilled look next weekend as I head out on a hen do. I'm feeling brave and hope I can carry this look off!

* The dress: I needed to find a new dress for a wedding in a couple of months, which I also intend on wearing on my, ahem, 30th birthday. This one just screams summer so I'm hoping it fits as good as it looks when it arrives this week. I'm thinking a big statement neon necklace and tan wedges...